That’s a hefty price. It is arguably the most expensive package ever paid for a defensive player. But it’s a necessarily hefty one for one of football’s unmistakable stars. The trade will almost certainly go down as the biggest of the NFL year, and perhaps one of the biggest in modern NFL history.

Why are the Raiders trading Mack?

Mack was entering the final year of his contract, and remained at odds with Raiders brass over how lucrative an extension would be. Mack believed he should be paid his worth as one of the best defensive players in the league. The Raiders, under new head coach Jon Gruden, wouldn’t meet the asking price.

So Mack’s holdout had no end in sight, and the prospect of him missing regular-season games became more probable by the day.

Khalil Mack was the NFL’s defensive player of the year in 2016 with the Oakland Raiders. Now he’s reportedly off to the Chicago Bears. (Getty)

Rather than pay Mack, or rather than deal with the holdout drama and let the 27-year-old walk as a free agent after the 2018 season, the Raiders have reportedly opted to trade him.

Mack was the Raiders’ first-round pick – fifth overall – in 2014. He was the NFL’s defensive player of the year in 2016. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro selection.

Where does Mack fit in Chicago?

A player of Mack’s caliber fits on any roster, in almost any scheme. He has excelled as – and been named an All-Pro first-teamer as – both an outside linebacker and defensive end. He can can play in a 4-3 or a 3-4.

He will immediately elevate Chicago’s pass rush to one of the best in the league under first-year head coach Matt Nagy. He’ll play alongside the Bears’ 2016 first-round pick, Leonard Floyd, and join a front seven that also includesAkiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman,Danny Trevathan and 2018 first-round pick Roquan Smith.

Donald’s deal – six years, $135 million, $87 million guaranteed – is the richest for a defensive player in NFL history. Mack will reportedly get $90 million guaranteed and average $23.5 million per year.

The Bears think they can win now

The Bears have not had a winning record since 2012. They have not made the playoffs since 2010. The franchise has been searching for a direction for some time.

But it drafted quarterback Mitchell Trubisky with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft, and turned to the North Carolina product five weeks into his rookie season. It then fired John Fox and hired Nagy, a bright, young offensive mind, at the helm.

Chicago is confident it has the pieces in place to win soon rather than later. That’s why it’s been so active this offseason. And that’s why it’s now sacrificing two potential future stars, in the form of two first-round picks, for one superstar in his prime.